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Rubbing the anxiousness from her hands, Maris walked to the living space and sat on the grand sofa. No Asclepius worshiper meant no cure for whatever the princess had, and that was petrifying. “Do you think she will be all right?”

Melvian shrugged. “She will have to be.”

“Yes, but… I’ve seen how people get when things get taken away from them. It’s not pretty.”

Pursing her lips, Melvian walked towards Maris. “Don’t do that to yourself.”

“How can I not, Melvian?”

“Don’t.” Melvian grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door. “I never told you why I came here. I brought the princess some food in case she woke up.” Melvian pulled in a cart filled with fruits, nuts and different kinds of tea. “These are all the princess’s favorites. I don’t think she will eat it all so I guess you can eat from this too.”

“Thanks. I was actually starving. I haven’t been able to eat anything.”

“Maris!”

“That’s her!” Maris grabbed Melvian’s shoulder and turned her around on her feet. “You need to leave.”

“Hey! What—Wait a…” Melvian’s words died in her mouth. She gazed at the end of the royal room, eyes open in surprise.

Maris followed her gaze and found Valda’s tall form leaning on the bathroom entrance with nothing covering her up.

“Maris, are you there?”

“I am here,” Maris answered.

Now that Valda was standing on her own, Maris could see all the other scars embellishing her body. They were not too many to make her look gruesome, but enough to make her rather interesting to the eye. One of those scars was on her muscular thigh. Still, it didn’t make her leg look any less desirable. Her thighs were toned and strong. Clearly, she ran a lot in battle, not to flee, but from charging into her enemies and jumping over them.

Another scar was displayed on her stomach. The toned abdominals had a diagonal line that went to her back. Maybe she was injured in a sword fight years ago.That one might have made her stay in bed for weeks or perhaps just a couple of days.

“I am drenched,” Valda said.

Maris shoved her elbow against Melvian’s ribs and whispered, “Me too.”

“Maris!” Melvian hissed.

Valda arched her brow and shook her arm. “I need a towel.”

Maris turned around and stared at Melvian with eyes wide open. She mentally implored her to leave, and thank the gods Melvian understood. Patting Maris’s arm, Melvian closed the door on her way out.

“Did you leave?” Valda asked, almost in shock.

“No, Your Highness! I am here. A maid had just brought some food for you,” Maris answered and bolted to the princess’s side. She didn’t wonder how Valda got out of the tub with no help. Of course, the princess would regain her strength little by little, yet she had to admit she was still a tad surprised.

“Bottom shelf, left,”Valda said, signaling where the towels were as if she had read Maris’s mind.

Quickly, Maris picked a white towel for the princess and placed it over her shoulders as she guided her to sit on the bed. She quietly watched as the princess patted her face dry, being extra careful around her eyes. Nevertheless, the princess hissed in pain as she touched her brows.

“What do you want to wear?” Maris asked, wanting to keep the princess’s mind on something other than the fact that she was naked and in pain.

“I would say casual, but it’s the middle of the fucking night.” Valda groaned again, running her fingers through her wet hair. “Something comfortable so I can sleep some more after eating.”

Maris nodded, feeling sorry that this was the way the princess’s birthday had come to an end.

As she stepped into the walk-in closet, she entered a world of elegance and sophistication. The room was filled with an array of colors, patterns, and textures that immediately captured her attention as she took in the sight before her.

Everywhere she looked, she saw a collection of masculine clothing. The clothes were made from silk, cotton, and other fabrics. She ran her fingers over the clothes, marveling at how soft and smooth they were against her skin.

“Maris?” Valda called her from outside the closet. Shaking herself from her daydream, Maris picked up a soft silk button shirt with a pair of black linen pants. As she walked out, Valda was somehow folding the towel and placing it in the nightstand for Maris to pick up later.